On Thursday 22nd September Elections ACT announced the candidates running in the upcoming ACT Election. A record total of 141 candidates have been nominated with 24 of those in our electorate of Yerrabi.
Below we list the candidates for Yerrabi in ballot paper order. We will also provide links to websites and social media platforms where we can find them. Candidates and parties can contact us to provide missing detail.
At the start of this we ran a poll asking ‘Doest it matter to you if candidates live in your electorate?’. 85.4% of respondents said yes so we have included information to advise if the candidates are enrolled to vote within the Yerrabi electorate.
Liberal Democrats
Website: www.act-ldp.org.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/auslibdemsACT/
Dave GREEN
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Dave Green is a Forde-based technology entrepreneur. He studied and lectured in Cognitive Science specialising in artificial intelligence and neural networks at Macquarie University and UWS. In 2007, his family relocated to Canberra to start a family-owned technology business that has literally grown from the kitchen table to serve clients across Australia.
Growing up in the 1980s, Dave was strongly influenced by the rational free market zeal and social inclusiveness of the Hawke/Keating governments. He became politically active with Labor after the defeat of the Keating government, and was heavily involved in attempts to modernise the organisational structure of the party. Over time, however, Dave began to feel that Labor had abandoned reform for cheap politics. Lack of courage on same sex marriage and asylum seekers was the last straw.
Dave joined the Liberal Democrats because he believes in a pragmatic approach to government that treats citizens like adults. His key concerns for the ACT are marijuana legalization coupled with a shift away from enforcement to harm minimisation for “harder” drugs; and stimulating private sector growth in town centres to reduce our dependence on the Federal Government as primary employer.
Declan KEATING
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Declan was born and raised in Canberra. Through his work in the Yerrabi region he has enjoyed meeting locals from all walks of life, and has developed a particular affection for the area and its residents. Declan is motivated by the desire to see local business flourish in Yerrabi and is committed to reducing red tape and regulatory burdens to empower people to succeed. He is a passionate social liberal who believes that the government should not dictate how consenting adults choose to conduct their personal lives, and is particularly opposed to nanny-state and economically harmful policies such as lockout laws. Declan is a young candidate and wishes to give Canberra’s youth a voice in the legislative assembly while also engaging and consulting constructively with all of the Yerrabi community.
Canberra Liberals
Website: www.canberraliberals.org.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanberraLiberals/
Alistair COE
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Alistair is a true Canberran: he was born at the Royal Canberra Hospital and went to primary and secondary school in Tuggeranong and Belconnen. He then completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the Australian National University. Aside from a year spent in the United Kingdom and the United States, Alistair has spent his whole life in Canberra and takes great pride in our national capital.
Amanda LYNCH
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Amanda Lynch loves the beauty and lifestyle that this wonderful city has to offer but knows we can do much better. Dramatically increasing rates, chaotic and unplanned road works, and under resourced hospitals have left residents of North Canberra and Gungahlin considerably worse off. Amanda has personally experienced our failing health system, being stranded on hospital waiting lists and ultimately referred to country NSW to receive necessary but everyday health services. With a lifetime of experience in small business, government and local community groups, Amanda is seeking your support to rectify these problems and to represent Yerrabi as your elected representative.
James Milligan, publisher and business owner believes Canberra’s North will be of great political focus this October, and has been advocating for the Gungahlin region for many years. James’ strong personal values were founded in his upbringing, particularly a strong belief in the individual and the importance of families. A long term Gungahlin resident, James has seen first-hand the lack of proper planning, inadequate infrastructure, sub-standard roads, struggling health care facilities, and limited local employment opportunities. Canberrans need better representation so key projects are prioritised, planned and completed on time. James will be in a position to champion these issues.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Justin STATES
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
A lawyer and resident of Forde, Justin came to Canberra in 1992 having won a Graduate position in the Department of Defence. After completing an Honours degree in Psychology at the University of Western Australia, he graduated from ANU with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, which included study on exchange in the USA at the University of Alabama School of Law, and a Masters of Business Administration degree. Justin was a Federal Public Servant in the Departments of Defence, Industry and Foreign Affairs & Trade. He later served as an adviser to the Hon Julie Bishop MP and to the Hon Philip Ruddock MP where he learned the importance of putting your local constituents first; never forgetting that serving your electorate to the upmost of your ability is your highest calling. Justin currently works in the private sector providing policy and legal services. He understands the challenges that people face, and the way that law and government policies impact on people directly. Justin has a strong interest and activity in local issues. As an MLA for Yerrabi his vision is for a place with leading edge facilities, where people go to run dynamic small businesses and to be entertained – a place that people want to visit, not just to reside in.
Jacob VADAKKEDATHU
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
I live in the Gungahlin suburb of Nicholls with my wife and our two children. I migrated from India 18 years ago to complete a Masters Degree at the University of Canberra and currently work in the Commonwealth Department of Finance. I am passionate about community engagement. I was a Committee member of the Gungahlin Community Council and Gungahlin United Football Club as well as being a Red Cross and Cancer Council volunteer. I will be a strong advocate for people in the Yerrabi electorate. I would welcome hearing from you and your views on local issues that concern you.
Like Canberra
Website: www.likecanberra.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/likecanberrapage/
Tim BOHM
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Bohm is a born and bred Canberran and again lives in the city with his family and three young children. He has worked in Sydney and London for the past ten years and has run his own successful small professional business. Bohm contest the last ACT election and the last two Federal elections as a Bullet Train for Canberra candidate.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Heffernan grew up in Nicholls and studied at Merici College and the University of Canberra. She has been a Yerrabi resident since 1995. She is currently a deferred university student and working at a bank.
SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA (ACT)
Website: www.votesustainable.org.au/act
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VoteSustainable/
Paul GABRIEL
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Paul originally moved to Canberra from country NSW to study at the ANU and has called it home ever since. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and has now been working for the ANU for nine years. As a passionate member of the community, Paul is focussed on both short term fixes and long term planning, beyond a single term, in order to improve both the Yerrabi area and Canberra as a whole. Paul feels strongly about constructing smarter homes that use less energy, divestment from non-renewables and housing affordability. Paul is an active member of his local community, he is a regular participant in parkrun and was a founding member of the Northside Men’s Shed in 2012 where he remains an active member. When not solving IT challenges, Paul loves running, bike riding and going on adventures with his wife. Paul is looking forward to having the opportunity to represent his local area through this election and beyond.
Violet SHERIDAN
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Ngunnawal Elder Violet Sheridan grew up on her Mother’s country of Yass. Violet is a member of the Ngunnawal Elder’s Council, and a former member of ATSIC representing Bogong Ward. Violet is passionate about education opportunities for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth alike, and housing affordability for first home buyers and renters. Additional education policies Violet would like to pursue include free school buses and lollipop school crossing supervisors.
ACT LABOR
Website: www.actlabor.org.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActLabor/
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Meegan Fitzharris was elected the Member for Molonglo on 16 January 2015 following a countback after the resignation of Chief Minister Katy Gallagher. Meegan is currently the Minister for Transport and Municipal Services, Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research and Assistant Health Minister. She was previously involved in a number of standing committees and is currently the Labor Caucus Secretary. Meegan grew up in New Zealand and Singapore before coming to Australia in 1998. She moved to Canberra in 2000 and now lives in Gungahlin with her husband and three young children. She loves her local community and is proud to be the only Gungahlin resident in the Assembly. Meegan has been involved in a number of local community groups, including as a board member of the Gungahlin Regional Community Service (now Comunities@Work), a member of her school community council and an executive member of the Gungahlin Community Council.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Deepak-Raj Gupta is the president of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) ACT chapter and a member of the AIBC National Executive Board of Directors. Deepak-Raj completed his tertiary education in Melbourne before moving to Canberra in 2001. Deepak-Raj is a passionate advocate of the ACT’s multicultural community and has helped organise several popular multicultural programs each year in the annual National Multicultural Festival every February. In October 2015, he was awarded the Community Service Excellence Award 2015 and Business Awards in Sydney. The award was in recognition of Deepak-Raj’s work in promoting multicultural harmony, acceptance, mutual respect and understanding among the ACT’s diverse communities. In 2012, he was also awarded the ACT Community Advocate award by the ACT Government.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Jayson Hinder was elected as an MLA for Ginninderra on the 3rd of March 2016. He was elected on the casual vacancy created by Mary Porter, and aims to continue her work in fighting for government outcomes which benefit the community. Jayson was born in Canberra and was raised by his widowed mother while attending local schools and colleges. Originally an apprentice mechanic by trade, Jayson went on to start his own workshop. While running his small business and raising three kids, Jayson took night courses at university to work towards his law degree. He went on to practice in law in firms around the ACT and founded his own law firm, Jayson Hinder and Associates, which still serves the people of Belconnen and Gunghalin. Drawing on these experiences, he now serves the people of Belconnen and Gunghalin as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Jayson has managed many successful businesses over the course of his career. He has also led the Bendigo Community Bank, which actively fundraises for and supports local community causes. In addition to being a member of multiple community and sporting organisations, he has been a Labor member for decades and knows that Labor priorities in jobs, infrastructure and education offer the best future for his community.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
A Canberran through and through, Suzanne grew up in Giralang attending local public schools. She worked for 15 years in the local hospitality and tourism industries before graduating from the University of Canberra. Growing up, Suzanne’s family fostered over 200 children. She saw from a young age how easy it is to be pushed out of opportunities and also what difference even a small amount of help can make. Suzanne is now a hard-working urban planner in the public service who recently bought her first home in Franklin.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Michael grew up in Canberra and now works tirelessly to protect the workplace rights of local construction workers. As a representative for Yerrabi, he will work to keep our city and community on a path that balances growth, prosperity and fair go. Michael believes that Canberra is a forward-looking city — a place where people can grow up safely, learn, work, settle down and raise a family. He wants Canberra to be just this and more. Michael wants to see Canberra grow as a city of the 21st century by investing in our kids and teaching them the skills of the future. He believes in the power of education and if we can invest in an education of science, technology, engineering and maths than we can make this city even greater.
THE GREENS
Website: www.actgreens.org.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/actgreens/
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Andrew Braddock lives in Bonner with his family and two dogs. He is an environmental engineer and is active in the Yerrabi community with organisations like SIDS and Kids, Bears of Hope and Heartfelt charities. He is excited about building a fairer and more sustainable Canberra.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Tobias Holm and his family moved to Canberra just before he started high school after living in remote Aboriginal communities in the Gibson Desert. Tobias works in the retail and higher education sectors and lives in Harrison.
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
I love Canberra’s diversity and culture – it’s what makes us a vibrant community. As one of the most progressive cities in Australia, Canberrans expect those who represent us to stand up for equality and justice. That’s why we need more Greens to join Shane Rattenbury in ACT parliament, delivering progressive results for our local community and championing issues like clean energy, marriage equality, and 21st century public transport. I’ve spent most of my career in the community sector running local services and refuges for women, including five years managing the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. For the past five years, I’ve worked for the ACT Government including as Manager for Office for Women and Gender Advisor to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Taskforce.
AUSTRALIAN SEX PARTY ACT
Website: www.sexparty.org.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AusSexPartyACT/
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
Originally from the small NSW rural town of Wee Waa. I have lived in Armidale, Perth and Sydney before finally settling in Harrison with my partner and two cats. I have worked as a laborer, in retail and I am currently employed by the Commonwealth Public Service. I have grown fond of Canberra over the years and in particular the community of Gungahlin, where I now reside. As a local, I am keen to make this community the best it can be and to make sure that everyone has an equal say in our future growth and development. Some of my interests are in homelessness, the cost of living and access to cheap and reliable renewable energy. I volunteer at a local men’s shelter during the winter months, making sure that some of our most vulnerable people have a safe and warm place to sleep. Canberra has a short supply of homelessness and emergency accommodation. I appreciate that this is not one of the ‘sexy issues’ but it is one that I believe we can do better on. At the end of the day, I am keen to work with all locals who are sick and tired of the major parties and who are after an alternative choice at the 2016 election. I hope that over the months you will see that I am here for my community and will always put locals before politics.
Susie KENNETT
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
UNGROUPED
Mandy COTTINGHAM (Animal Justice Party)
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Daniel EVANS
Enrolled in Yerrabi: NO
Website: www.vote1danevans.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Daniel-EVANS-Independent-for-Yerrabi
David POLLARD (INDEPENDENT)
Website: www.davidpollard.com.au/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IamDavidPollard/
Enrolled in Yerrabi: YES
I value evidence-based policy. We don’t have to guess what will work well when we are willing to learn from mistakes – both our own, and those of others. I have voted Liberal, and I have voted Labor. I have voted for Greens and minor parties. I’ve come to realise I don’t fit any of the moulds laid out in front of me, and I’ve seen that many others in the community feel the same. In a two-party system, we want the best of both worlds, and a strong crossbench is the way to achieve that. Our representatives should work together to deliver the best legislation for the people, regardless of which side proposes an idea. Negotiation and compromise can usually deliver the best outcomes for the most people. Our legislators should not be serving a subset of us being only their voters, but rather should be supporting all of society. With representation from only two major parties, too often we see black and white decisions, rather than considering all the brightly coloured options in the middle. An Independent is answerable strictly to the people they represent – that’s it. Every issue can be considered on its own merits without having to toe a party line. Independents aren’t censored when speaking to the community either directly, online, or via traditional media. Left unchecked by a strong crossbench, I don’t believe we get the best out of the major parties. I believe I can bring that, and more, to the Assembly.
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